From April, several new measures, regulations and rate adjustments will affect state pension payments. Specialists are urging the Government to intervene as they caution it could 'feel like a punishment' for those currently below state pension age and may drive more people into poverty.

The state pension age is increasing from 66 to 67, but instead of an abrupt policy shift, the Department for Work and Pensions is gradually implementing this rise over the coming two years, commencing this April. People who are currently 65 will probably each have varying state pension ages based on their precise date of birth as the implementation gets underway.

The Centre for Ageing Better has cautioned that three particular groups of people will probably be "particularly hit hard" judging by the consequences of earlier state pension age rises. This encompasses people who are single, renting their accommodation and those with lower educational qualifications.

These demographics typically face higher monthly expenses or have earned a reduced income, which generally means they haven't been able to put aside as much as their counterparts or contribute as substantially to private pensions that could cover the additional year's wait they encounter due to the state pension age increase.

Elaine Smith, head of employment and skills at the Centre for Ageing Better, stated: "While raising state pension age has considerable financial benefits for the Treasury to the tune of £10 billion, it also has negative real life consequences for people in their 60s.

"The last time the state pension increased to 66, poverty for 65-year-olds doubled. Those who were particularly hit hard included single people, renters, and those with lower education.

"Labour market participation declines sharply after 60 and by 66, fewer than one in three people are still in work. The result is that many are financially struggling in their 60s, the 60-64 age group has the highest rates of poverty of any adult age group after 25; meaning they are left waiting for the lifeline of a state pension. And now they will have to hold on a year longer.

"The rise to 67 is likely to have larger effects, especially for groups with low private pension provision, so we are likely to see sharp increases in pre-pension poverty and greater reliance on working-age benefits."

The charity highlighted that a significant number of people are no longer in employment by the time they reach state pension age, with obstacles such as declining health, family commitments and age discrimination in the jobs market frequently becoming a serious concern in later life.

It cautioned the government that the age increase could push 100,000 people on the cusp of pension age into poverty. Ageing Better is urging the government to commit a comparable level of funding to support workers aged 50 and over, mirroring its investment in the Youth Guarantee.

Elaine urged: "This support could be allowing those forced to wait another 12 months for their state pension to access Pension Credit early, or with a dedicated element in Universal Credit.

"The costs of doing this are modest compared to the huge fiscal savings the government stands to save of more than £10 billion from increasing the state pension age to 67. To many on the cusp of state pension age, the increases feel more like a punishment than a logical policy."

State pension age marks the earliest point people can claim their state pension. It's set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, with a further increase expected around 2044 to 2046. The state pension age increases to keep pace with rising life expectancy across the UK, aiming to ensure each generation spends a similar proportion of their lifetime in retirement.